GameMaker Fundamentals

Master the fundamental programming skills needed to create your own computer games in GameMaker. This book shows how to use GameMaker to build and publish cross-platform games.

Each chapter covers a certain programming element, including layers, variables, and so on. You will also learn how to design levels in your games, draw sprites to populate your virtual worlds, and build GUIs for your menus and game interfaces. GameMaker Fundamentals also provides a thorough introduction to the GameMaker Language (GML). Practical example projects reinforce the concept discussed in each chapter.

On completing this book, you will have a thorough understanding of how to create games from scratch using game design and programming principles using GameMaker and GML.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

* Review core programming features required for sound knowledge of GameMaker
* Master how to combine GML to orchestrate game actions
* Utilize GameMaker's layers to create exciting games
* Set up player control

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR

Those new to GameMaker or game programming in general; it assumes no prior knowledge or skill set.

BEN TYERS is an expert GameMaker user, developer, coder, and trainer. He has authored a number of books on GameMaker for game application developers.

Chapter 1: Instance Layers

Sub - Topics

● What are layers

● Layer types

● Layer orders

● Projects

Chapter 2: Variables

Sub –Topics

● Built in variables

● Drawing variables

● Variable types

● Projects

Chapter 3: Conditionals

Sub - Topics

● What are conditoinals

● Examples

● Projects

Chapter 4: Drawing Shapes

Sub - Topics:

● Drawing shapes

● Projects

Chapter 5: Drawing Continued

Sub - Topics:

● Drawing variables

● Using fonts

● Formatting text

● Drawing sprites

● Formatting sprites

● Projects

Chapter 6: Keyboard Input & Basic Controls

Sub - Topics:

● Keyboard input

● Mouse input

● Moving a player instance● Projects

Chapter 7: Objects & Events

Sub - Topics:

● Alarm event

● Create event

● Draw event

● Step event● Input events

● Collision event

● Draw GUI event

● Projects

Chapter 8: Sprites

Sub - Topics:

● Importing sprites● Strip images

● Formatting sprites

● Projects

Chapter 9: Health & Lives

Sub - Topics:

● Health

● Lives● Score

● Projects

Chapter 10: Mouse

Sub - Topics:

● Mouse Buttons

● Interaction with mouse

● Projects

Chapter 11: Alarms

Sub - Topics:

● Usage

● Setting alarms

● Example usage

● Projects

Chapter 12: Collisions

Sub - Topics:

● Usage

● Events

● Collisions using code

● Examples

● Projects

Chapter 13: Rooms

Sub - Topics:

● Setting a background

● Views

● Projects

Chapter 14: Backgrounds

Sub - Topics:

● Moving backgrounds

● Projects

Chapter 15: Sounds

Sub - Topics:

● Importing audio

● Playing sounds

● Playing music

● Audio control● Projects

Chapter 16: Splash Screens & Menus

Sub - Topics:

● Why use a splash screen

● Unlockable levels

● Projects

Chapter 17: Randomization

Sub - Topics:

● Using random values

● Random variables examples

● Projects

Chapter 18: AI

Sub - Topics: ● Moving towards the player

● Bullets

● Projects

Chapter 19: INI files

Sub - Topics:

● What are INI files

● Writing data● Reading data

● Projects

Chapter 20: Effects

Sub - Topics:

● Built in effects

● Effect layers

● Projects

Chapter 21: Loops

Sub - Topics:

● Types of loops

● Effect layers

● Projects

● Examples

● Projects

Chapter 22: Arrays

Sub - Topics:

● Example usage

● Two dimensional arrays

● Drawing array data

● Using for weapon control

● Projects

Chapter 23: DS Lists

Sub - Topics:

● Example usage

● Adding data

● Organizing data

● Projects

Chapter 24: Paths

Sub - Topics:

● Creating a path

● Manipulating a path

● Projects

Chapter 25: Functions

Sub - Topics:

● Setting up

● Examples

● Projects